Ep 33. How to Exit To Something, Not Just From It with Krystyn Harrison
What happens after the exit? In this honest and powerful conversation, Krystyn Harrison opens up about what it really felt like to sell her first tech company, the unexpected pain, identity loss, and the journey back to finding purpose.
We unpack the emotional and practical lessons most founders aren’t prepared for, including why so many regret their exits, and how to start preparing for what comes after the sale, long before you’re ready to let go.
You’ll also hear why separating your personal brand from your business matters, even if selling isn’t on your radar yet. We’ll talk about how to build a business that can run without you, and the powerful mindset shift that protects both your company and your peace of mind.
Whether you’re years away from exiting or in the thick of building, this is an essential listen for any founder thinking long-term.
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Krystyn Harrison is the Co-Founder of Exit Horizon, where she helps entrepreneurs plan and execute no-regrets exits.
A lifelong founder with experience in e-commerce, tech, and private equity, Krystyn combines business acumen with personal insight from her own exit journey.
Alongside her husband and co-founder, Matt, she created a practical framework to help owners grow value, increase optionality, and confidently prepare both the business, and themselves, for what comes next.
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00:00 – Welcome and intro to Krystyn Harrison
02:15 — “There's the exit value… and then there's the heart of the issue.”
04:00 — Why wealth is not the destination, it’s a tool.
05:45 — Exit to something, not just from it: the mindset shift founders need.
07:30 — 17% of founders say they want to live a life of leisure. But most? Need a new mountain to climb.
09:45 — Facing an empty calendar: why post-exit freedom can feel like a crisis.
12:50 — “Every owner will exit”—the reality most founders ignore.
15:30 — Why most owners don’t know what their business is really worth.
18:00 — Krystyn’s own unplanned, painful exit, and what she wishes she’d done differently.
22:30 — 75% of owners regret their exit within the first year.
33:10 — If your business can’t run without you, it’s not ready to sell.